HMMMMM.......K&N vs FOAM. I run K&N myself with a sock. As with any filter - foam, paper or gauze if you dont MAINTAIN it, the filter will not perform properly. Like some of guys I ride with they never check the filters until the bike really starts to perform poorly. Kinda late then...dont ya think???? If a K&N filter is properly maintained and has a precharger (SOCK) cover then it performs GREAT!!!! I check my bike out before and after every ride. However my bike is beefed up alot and maintenance is a must. The K&N filter also really help with the performance of my bike!!!!!

Now in my defense I also have my bike snorkeled and intake pipe facing the rear of the bike. This help ALOT with dirt intrusion. Most ATV's have the intake drawing air from underneath the plastics. That being said, nothing BUT dirt is drawn into the air box!!!!

I guess it's to each his own.....everyone has a favorite something and there is nothing wrong with that!!!!

If you like to see pics of my bike CLICK HERE

Later guys,
RIDE HARD AND GET MUDDY
CrazyJames

 

I run the stock foam filter on my 660 grizzly, How important is it to keep the filter oiled?, I recently washed mine, thinking it will get more air, and improve performance, Is this wrong?? Is the foam enough, or do I need oil too???

 

As i said before...proper maintenance is important. If you do not want to go through thew hassle of washing and oiling your foam filter you can clean it with kerosine. It will clean the filter thouroughly and provide the needed oil to the filter. the oiling of the filter is what helps trap the fine dirt particles in the filter. Without the oil it will not have anyhting to grab the fine dirt and allow it into the combustion chamber causing piston ring failure.

SO YES IT SHOULD BE OILED BY SOME MEANS

Ride hard and get muddy
CrazyJames

 

Aren't K&N's made out of paper or paper-like material? I guess I thought they were because they look that way.

 

I think they are made of cotton.

 

They are made out of gauze...like what you use for bandages. Just several layer of it.

 

Use the prefilters and keep it clean you won't have any trouble. I can tell you by just removing the filter only(left the stock air box alone made a difference in the performance of my Rancher 350.

 

Wouldn't using a pre filter on a K&N nullify any performance increase the K&N is suppoed to offer?

As for oiling a foam fliter, I have a new Rancher 350 and when checking it out, I noticed a birght yellow foam filter in the air box. Is this a pre filter, or "the" filter? No matter which, it was dry, should I oil it, and if so, with what type of oil? I ride gravel roads quite a bit and since it is dry around here, it is extremely dutsy. While I'm all for performance gains, my main concern is the protection of my investment. That's just me though.

 

that is a stock honda air filter, just one piece. and YES it should be oiled!!! I had the same problem with mine, it wasnt oiled from the factory, but i had some oil for it at home and i oiled it before i even drove it out of my truck when i got it.

You should call Honda about that, since you had the same thing i had, no oil on filter.

 

Do you get the oil for the foam filter from Honda or is there something else I should use? I take it maybe it should have been oiled during the pre-delivery setup.